5 Popular Online Writing Resources Every Writer Should Know About
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who just loves writing, having the right tools and resources can make a huge difference in improving your craft. The digital age has brought a wealth of online writing resources that help with everything from grammar and style to research and creativity.
In this post, we’ll explore 5 popular online writing resources that writers at any level can use to sharpen their skills, streamline their workflow, and produce better content.
1. Grammarly
What it is: Grammarly is a widely-used AI-powered writing assistant that helps you catch grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and style inconsistencies.
Why writers love it:
- Real-time grammar and spelling checks.
- Suggestions for clarity, conciseness, and tone.
- Browser extension, desktop app, and Microsoft Word add-in.
- Plagiarism checker in premium version.
Whether you’re crafting emails, essays, or blog posts, Grammarly helps ensure your writing is polished and professional.
2. Hemingway Editor
What it is: Hemingway Editor is an online tool designed to make your writing bold and clear by highlighting complex sentences and passive voice.
Why writers love it:
- Highlights hard-to-read sentences.
- Encourages simpler, more direct language.
- Shows readability score and estimated reading time.
- Free web version and paid desktop app.
If you want to write content that’s easy to understand and engaging, Hemingway Editor is a great companion.
3. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
What it is: The Purdue OWL is a trusted educational website offering comprehensive writing resources and guides.
Why writers love it:
- Detailed guides on grammar, punctuation, and style.
- Citation help for MLA, APA, Chicago, and more.
- Resources for academic, business, and creative writing.
- Free and accessible to everyone.
If you’re a student or professional seeking trusted writing rules and citation guidelines, Purdue OWL is an invaluable tool.
4. Scrivener
What it is: Scrivener is a powerful writing software designed for longer projects like novels, research papers, and screenplays.
Why writers love it:
- Organizes notes, research, and drafts all in one place.
- Flexible formatting and outlining tools.
- Distraction-free writing mode.
- Syncs across devices (desktop and mobile apps).
Ideal for authors and researchers who need a robust platform to manage complex writing projects.
5. Thesaurus.com
What it is: Thesaurus.com is the go-to online resource for finding synonyms and antonyms to diversify your vocabulary.
Why writers love it:
- Quick and easy access to synonyms and related words.
- Helps avoid repetitive language.
- Includes word definitions and examples.
- Free and user-friendly.
Whether you’re trying to find just the right word or avoid repetition, Thesaurus.com can boost your writing’s variety and precision.
Bonus Tips for Using Online Writing Resources
- Don’t rely solely on tools: Use them to enhance your writing, but trust your own voice and judgment.
- Combine tools: Grammarly for grammar, Hemingway for readability, and Thesaurus.com for vocabulary can work well together.
- Practice regularly: The best way to improve your writing is consistent practice alongside using these resources.
- Keep learning: Explore writing blogs, courses, and forums to deepen your knowledge and skills.
Whether you’re drafting a novel, polishing an essay, or creating web content, these five online writing resources can help you write clearer, more compelling text. They save time, boost confidence, and make writing less stressful.